[1] Now the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the
Gentiles also had received the word of God. [2] So when Peter went up to
Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, [3] saying, "Why did you
go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?" [4] But Peter began and
explained to them in order: [5] "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in
a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down
from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me. [6] Looking at it
closely I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the
air. [7] And I heard a voice saying to me, `Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' [8]
But I said, `No, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my
mouth.' [9] But the voice answered a second time from heaven, `What God has
cleansed you must not call common.' [10] This happened three times, and all
was drawn up again into heaven. [11] At that very moment three men arrived
at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesare'a. [12] And the
Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brethren
also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. [13] And he told us
how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, `Send to Joppa
and bring Simon called Peter; [14] he will declare to you a message by
which you will be saved, you and all your household.' [15] As I began to
speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. [16]
And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, `John baptized with
water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' [17] If then God
gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord
Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" [18] When they heard
this they were silenced. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the
Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life." [19] Now those who
were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled
as far as Phoeni'cia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none
except Jews. [20] But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyre'ne,
who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord
Jesus. [21] And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that
believed turned to the Lord. [22] News of this came to the ears of the
church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. [23] When he came
and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain
faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; [24] for he was a good man,
full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the
Lord. [25] So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; [26] and when he
had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with
the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the
disciples were for the first time called Christians. [27] Now in these days
prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. [28] And one of them named
Ag'abus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great
famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius.
[29] And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to
send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea; [30] and they did so,
sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
